Obituary of Donald James Newyar

DONALD JAMES NEWYAR Donald James Newyar passed away from cancer peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2014, at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina SK, aged 88 years. He was born in Watrous, SK on October 16, 1925, to Reidar and Ella (nee Mason) Newyar. As a child he was active in boy scouts, and in his teens he was very athletic and enjoyed activities such as skiing and diving. Donald was awarded the Governor General’s Bronze Academic medal in 1942 for graduating from high school with the highest grade point average in Saskatchewan. Donald attended the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and met his future wife Dorothy (nee Gotts). They were married in 1950. Donald worked as a draftsman for the PFRA, notably on the Gardiner Dam / Lake Diefenbaker Project. After retiring from the PFRA, Donald worked for private architectural firms in Medicine Hat and Calgary, Alberta. Donald had a lifelong interest in flying. He was an air cadet leader, earned his private pilot’s license, and enjoyed flying his Ercoupe airplane. Donald also spent much of his spare time comparing translations of the Holy Bible in Greek and Hebrew. Donald will be remembered by his wife Dorothy; his sons, Bruce and Chuck; his granddaughter Elizabeth “Lesa” and husband Sean Duplessis; grandson Bill Ryder Gaines and his wife Sheila Heater; great-grandchildren; and his sister Eveline Buchyns and her family. Donald was predeceased by his parents, Reidar and Ella. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK on Friday, June 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Interment and reception to follow.